Date: 16 October 2018

Disruption is now business as usual for almost every business, employee and manager. The measure of how they will survive it is in how they adapt.

This is the underlying theme for this year’s Real World Futures conference, Disruptive Influences - And What To Do With Them – The Adaptation Factor. It will feature a range of speakers focusing on adaptation in business, learning, working, thinking and living brought together in an interactive workshop which will help participants apply what they have learnt.

The full-day conference is on Tuesday, 16 October 2018 and registrations are now open.

This is the third Disruptive Influences conference and is the 26th event run as part of QUT’s Real World Futures series which has focussed on the impact of technology on future working, thinking and living.

The speakers will include:

The QUT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Sheil AO, who will speak about adaptation in learning and QUT’s journey to lead change in services to students;

The president of Bosch Australia, Mr Gavin Smith, who will speak on the adaptation of his traditional industrial business to the growth of the technology that will power Industry 4.0;

The Chief Financial Officer of Suncorp Group, Mr Steve Johnston, who will speak on the adaptation of Queensland’s largest bank to financial disruptors;

Engineer and company director Mr Matthew Ames, who will describe the disruption to his life from the loss of four limbs and the technology that has helped him adapt.

The CEO of Innovation and Science Australia, Dr Charlie Day, who will describe the macro picture of innovation in Australia and its use to adapt our national economy;

The Engineering Program and Outreach Manager of Google Australia, Ms Sally-Ann Williams, who will describe Google’s use as a tool of adaptation, particularly in education;

The Chief Operating Officer of the Australian Centre for Robotic Vision, Dr Sue Keay, who will outline the robotic roadmap for Australia and how it helps adapt industry to be more competitive.

QUT School of Management’s Professor Paula McDonald who will look at how workers are adapting to technology and the importance of society encouraging adaptation for “decent work”

QUT’s executive director of corporate engagement, Professor Michael Rosemann, who will run a workshop drawing on the key outtakes from the day, aimed at equipping participants with tools they can use in the workplace.

The Real World Futures conferences have become an important element of QUT’s calendar and are applauded by participants for bringing together experts from across the university with experts across industry.

While they have a technology leaning, their true focus is on how it will change human life and, particularly, work.

The conference ticket cost is $195.00 per ticket or $1,530.00 for a table of 9 guests.. To attend register here.